RAWALPINDI, Jan 19: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has extended the deadline of an ongoing technical survey being conducted by a state-run engineering and consultative organization, Nespak , for another two-and-a-half months, sources told Dawn on Monday.

The sources said January 15 was the deadline for the completion of the Nespak's $150,000 survey. They said the survey was conducted prior to the initiation of the ADB-funded Rawalpindi Environmental Improvement Project (REIP) - phase II of the recently wrapped up Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project (UWSSP). The bank, however, extended the deadline till March, they said.

Nespak had initiated its survey on August 11 last year and had so far presented the findings of its preliminary reports to the bank as well as departments concerned of the Punjab government. Besides, the engineering organization had also arranged a number of seminars in this connection.

Citing the reasons behind extension in the timeframe, the sources said the ADB had assigned some new works to the engineering organization during the survey.

The works included conducting of a comprehensive survey related to leakage detection in various water supply pipelines of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), recently laid during the UWSSP and preparing reports after testing the quality of water produced and distributed by Wasa's tubewells and Rawal Lake Treatment Plant.

Besides, conducting a soil survey for establishing of a sewage treatment plant during the REIP. The sources said the ADB had appreciated the work done by Nespak so far in connection with planning a drainage and sewerage system for the low-income areas as well as providing an opportunity to consumers, NGOs, councillors, Nazims and members of the civil society to present their proposals regarding planning and execution of REIP.

Talking about the cost of REIP, the sources said a notion amount of $100 million had been estimated for the project, of which 80 per cent would be provided by the ADB and the remaining 20 per cent by the Punjab government.